TRAI has extended the deadline for responses by distribution companies and other stakeholders on the consultation paper on ‘Distribution of TV channels from broadcasters to platforms operators’. The regulator had published the paper on August 8.

TRAI had earlier asked stakeholders to respond by August 27, but the regulator in a notification published yesterday extended the deadline to September 3. In a press note published on August 27, TRAI stated, “On request of the stakeholders, the last date for receipt of written comments has been extended up to 03.09.2013. Subsequently, an open house discussion on the issue dealt with in the consultation paper will be held at Delhi on 12.09.2013. The time and venue will be intimidated separately and will also be available on TRAI website.”

The consultation paper has said that leading content aggregators in the industry command substantial negotiating powers and therefore compel MSOs to enter into deals which are unfair and are not allowed by market regulations. The regulator in its paper also stated that MSOs and DTH players receive a different treatment from aggregators, and proposed clarity and guidelines to be executed in the RIOs between aggregators and MSOs.